5 cheap places to eat in Northampton

Northampton may be Paradise City, but as it turns out, paradise isn't cheap.

As residents know, living there can be quite pricey. And visitors realize fairly quickly that although the city has an embarrassment of riches culturally, a night out on the town is going to lighten one's wallet a bit. So sometimes it's a good idea to make one part of the evening as inexpensive as possible.

But if you're out for dinner, a show, and then drinks afterward, there is really only one aspect you can cut back on that will matter. Ticket prices are a fixed cost and drinks are fairly consistently priced (and, one hopes, the smallest cost of the evening). So that leaves food.

Fortunately, a little research goes a long way in limiting your food bill, whether you're a visitor dining out, or a resident just too tired to cook after a long day at work. To make it easy for you, we have assembled a list of five affordable eateries where you can fill up without going over $8 (before tax and tip). There are certainly other places, but these five offer really good values right downtown.

Feel free to leave your tips on cheaper eats in Northampton in the comments section below. In no particular order:

La Veracruzana – If a burrito from this Northampton institution doesn't fill your belly, you might want to take a closer look at your food intake. Satisfying and tasty, La Veracruzana's menu offers several options to slay your hunger for under $8. You can get a plain burrito for $5 or one with a choice of beef, chicken, or potato and carrots for $7. Located at 31 Main St.

Amanouz Cafe – Right across the street from La Veracruzana at 44 Main St., Amanouz offers appetizers that could pass for a whole meal for some folks. All its sandwiches – chicken, lamb, vegetable and kefta kabob, as well as a falafel burger – are under $8. There is even an entree, couscous with vegetables, for $7.95.

Bueno y Sano – It's not surprising that two Mexican eateries landed on this list. The food is not only versatile and delicious, it's filling and nutritious. Tacos there are between $3-$4, and all burritos come in less than $8. At 134 Main St.

Joe's Pizza and Spaghetti House – Joe's runs great specials every week night, but the real value is in its Little Joe pizzas. Perfectly sized for one person, most of these pizzettas cost less than $7 for tomato and cheese with one additional topping. Also, Joe's has half-size pasta orders all for $4.95. Just a three-minute stroll from town center at 33 Market St.

Serio's – This longtime Northampton market is not a restaurant and isn't open at night, but it could not be ignored as far as this list goes. Its deli sandwiches are overstuffed with fresh ingredients and if you have one for lunch, you may not need dinner. All for $5.79. Located at 65 State St.